Test Your Knowledge of Cancer's Warning Signs

Early detection of cancer is important because it is usually easier to treat—and possibly cure—when caught early. Do you know what signs to look for? Take this quiz to find out more.

1. Any sudden or progressive change in a mole's appearance could be a sign of skin cancer.

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That’s why it’s important to regularly check your skin for any changes in moles, freckles, or other skin marks, the American Cancer Society (ACS) says.

A. TrueB. False

2. A new mole or a change in an existing mole may be a sign of skin cancer.

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Other signs include:

A bump, or nodule that is scaly, lumpy, crusty, oozing, or bleeding

Pain, itchiness, tenderness, or changes in mole growth or how a mole feels

Swelling, redness, or spread of color into the skin near a mole

Part of a mole’s pigmented area that used to be flat begins to rise

A. TrueB. False

3. One sign of malignant melanoma is a mole with shades of tan, brown, black, or blue.

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Other signs include:

One half of a mole that doesn't match the other half

A mole with edges that are ragged, notched, or blurred

A mole with pigmentation that is uneven or changing

A mole that is larger than a pencil eraser

Seek medical attention right away if you have any of these symptoms, the ACS says.

A. TrueB. False

4. Changes, lumps, or hard masses in the testicles are signs of testicular cancer.

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In most cases of testicular cancer, the man has a lump on a testicle or notices that the testicle is swollen, the ACS says. The ACS recommends that a testicular exam be included as part of a man's general health checkup. See your healthcare provider if you notice any abnormalities in your testicles.

A. TrueB. False

5. A change in bowel habits—blood in the stool or chronic constipation—is a common symptom of stomach cancer.

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A change in bowel habits is a symptom of colon and rectal cancer. Other symptoms include rectal bleeding, abdominal cramping, and weight loss. Stomach cancer generally does not cause symptoms early in the disease. It may cause pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, or a feeling of "fullness" after eating only small amounts of food.

A. TrueB. False

6. Lumps, hard knots, or a thickening in the breast could mean breast cancer.

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Mammography is an important tool for finding breast cancer early on, when it’s easiest to treat. But the benefits and limits of mammography vary based on things like age and personal risk. Experts have different recommendations for mammography. Currently, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening every 2 years for women ages 50 to 74. The ACS recommends yearly screening for all women ages 40 and older. Women should talk with their healthcare provider about their personal risk factors before making a decision about when to start getting mammograms or how often they should get them. According to the ACS, there is a lack of evidence that clinical breast exams (CBEs) done by healthcare providers or by yourself are helpful for cancer screening. So the ACS does not recommend them. Still, all women should be familiar with how their breasts look and feel and report any changes to their healthcare provider. Women should talk with their healthcare provider about their personal risk factors and make a decision about whether they should have a CBE.

A. TrueB. False

7. A nagging cough or hoarseness could be signs of lung cancer.

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Other possible signs are a chest ache and increased sputum or blood in the sputum. These symptoms could be caused by something other than cancer, but be sure to have any of these checked out by your healthcare provider.

A. TrueB. False

8. Prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages.

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Signs of advanced prostate cancer include difficulty in urination, back pain, trouble getting an erection, and blood in the urine.

A. TrueB. False

9. Symptoms of mouth or tongue cancer include a sore inside the mouth that doesn't heal and mouth pain that doesn't get better or go away.

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These cancers appear primarily in people who smoke and chew tobacco. Regular dental checkups that include a whole mouth exam can help detect these cancers early, the ACS says.

A. TrueB. False

10. Bladder cancer has no symptoms.

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The most common symptoms are blood in the urine or changes in bladder habits, the ACS says. These could be signs of other health problems, so be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you notice changes.

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